Building Neural Networks on Carbon Nanotube Substrates
Weijian Yang
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer SciencesUniversity of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
UC Berkeley 2EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
From Neuron to Neural Networks How do the neurons connect with each other to
form a network?
http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/july2006/07142006gene.htm
http://www.joejoe.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=7945
Ref. 1, 2
3 um150 um
UC Berkeley 3EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Outline 1. Nano carbontubes boost neuronal electrical signaling Viviane Lovat, et.al. Nano Lett., 5, 1107, 2005.
2. Engineering the neural network with patterned nano carbontubes substrates.
Tamir Gabay, et.al. Physica A, 350, 611, 2005.
3. Outreach Understanding the brain, from neuron to mind. Harvard
Magazine, edited by Courtney Humphries, May 2009.
UC Berkeley 4EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Carbon Nanotubes as Substrates Why carbon nanotubes? Surface texture at the scale of ~10 to ~100 nm,
aspect ratio similar to the nerve fiber. High electrical conductivity. Strong mechanical strength. Chemical functionalization.
Good biocompatibility!
Ref. 1-4
UC Berkeley 5EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Boost Neuronal Electrical Signal Hippocampal neuron growing on dispersed
MWCNT in culture medium.
Ref. 1
UC Berkeley 6EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Boost Neuronal Electrical Signal
Improve neural signal transfer. Increase network activity. Reinforce electrical coupling between neurons.
Spontaneous postsynaptic current Membrane potential
Ref. 1
UC Berkeley 7EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Pattern the Neuron Network
catalyst
150 um
MWCNT
Ref. 2
UC Berkeley 8EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Network Evolution
One hour after cell deposition
After 96 hours
Neurons’ surface mobility and selective adhesion are the driving mechanism for the well organized placement at the CNT sites.
Ref. 2
100 um150 um
UC Berkeley 9EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Network Evolution
96 hours
128 hours
150 hours
A single link is formed between the two nearest neighbors.
Connection is reinforced with respect to time.
A bundle is eventually formed to establish a tensed link between two islands. Ref. 2
150 um
UC Berkeley 10EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Summary Carbon nanotubes are highly biocompatible for
neural network. (surface morphology, electrical, mechanical and chemical properties.)
Well defined engineered cultured neural systems can be formed on high density carbon nanotube islands.
A powerful platform to study neuronal adhesion, neurite outgrowth, and the neural network.
UC Berkeley 11EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Outreach Nanowire is also a good candidate for the research into
neural network. (especially in electrical, chemical, and biological signal detection.)
Ref. 5, 6
UC Berkeley 12EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Reference1. Viviane Lovat, et.al, “Nano Carbontubes Boost Neuronal Electrical Signaling,” Nano
Lett., 5, 1107, 2005.
2. Tamir Gabay, et.al, “Engineering the Neural Network with Patterned Nano Carbontubes Substrates,” Physica A, 350, 611, 2005.
3. Miguel A. Correa-Duarte, et. al, “Fabrication and Biocompatibility of Carbon Nanotube-Based 3D Networks as Scaffolds for Cell Seeding and Growth,” Nano Lett., 4, 2233, 2004.
4. Hui Hu, et. al., “Chemically Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes as Substrates for Neuronal Growth,” Nano Lett., 4, 507, 2004.
5. Fernando Patolsky, et. al. “Detection, Stimulation, and Inhibition of Neuronal Signals with High-Density Nanowire Transistor Arrays,” Science, 313, 1100, 2006.
6. “Understanding the brain, from neuron to mind,” Harvard Magazine, edited by Courtney Humphries, May 2009.
UC Berkeley 13EE 235 Presentation 2 Weijian Yang May 4, 2009
Thank you!
Thank you!